As it turned out, bringing the space for his Greek restaurant up to code took much longer than expected.

But things might be looking up. On Friday, Tsahiridis told the News-Leader he had a "small update." His contractor, Nesbitt Construction, starts infill work next week and estimates two-and-a-half to three months of construction time remain before he can open.

"I should know what my estimated opening timeline is around the middle of March," Tsahiridis said in a social media message. "For now, it’s looking like April."

The Greek Belly storefront is about 2,000 square feet of space at 320 E. Walnut St., near a Jimmy John's sandwich shop.

As a child, Tsahiridis experienced extended family visits to Greece, grounding him in its food and culture, the News-Leader previously reported.

Once open, he wants to serve a small, seasonal menu of traditional Greek foods like gyros, spanakopita and baklava.

In the meantime, he said he's in talks with Farmer's Market of the Ozarks for a wintertime spot in the market's enclosed, heated pavilion.

"I think it would be a good opportunity to market and promote my place on the south side of town," Tsahiridis said. "And make some money too."

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Greg Holman/News-Leader